The countries affected by Ebola include Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Mali, Senegal, the United States and Spain.

The most serious situation is reported in Liberia, with 3,376 deaths and 7,830 cumulative cases. Liberia is followed by Sierra Leone (2,556 deaths and 8,939 cases) and Guinea (1,586 and 2,571 cases).

The number of Ebola deaths in these three countries rose by 175 since December 20.

The World Health Organization describes Ebola virus disease (formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever) as “a severe, often fatal illness, with a case fatality rate of up to 90%.” Symptoms include sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding. The infection is transmitted by direct contact with the blood, body fluids and tissues of infected animals or people. People are infectious as long as their blood and secretions contain the virus. The incubation period is 2 to 21 days. There is no known cure or vaccine for the disease. The only treatment offered is “supportive intensive care.”